used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Her early years thus prepared Madame de Genlis for the willing acceptance of any new educational system, especially one which would advocate a constant companionship between parents and child.
acceptancenounUS /ækˈseptəns/
the mental attitude that something is believable and should be accepted as true
From this reading Her early years thus prepared Madame de Genlis for the willing acceptance of any new educational system, especially one which would advocate a constant companionship between parents and child.
advocateverbUS /ˈædvəkət/
push for something
From this reading Her early years thus prepared Madame de Genlis for the willing acceptance of any new educational system, especially one which would advocate a constant companionship between parents and child.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Like all children, Madame de Genlis was superior to her limited pleasures; she possessed an imagination which expanded and placed her in a heroic world of her own making.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Like all children, Madame de Genlis was superior to her limited pleasures; she possessed an imagination which expanded and placed her in a heroic world of her own making.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Her early years thus prepared Madame de Genlis for the willing acceptance of any new educational system, especially one which would advocate a constant companionship between parents and child.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Her early years thus prepared Madame de Genlis for the willing acceptance of any new educational system, especially one which would advocate a constant companionship between parents and child.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading For she had been reared with but exceptional glimpses of her father and mother; during one of these times she relates how the former, in his desire to make her brave, forced her to catch spiders in her hands.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Her early years thus prepared Madame de Genlis for the willing acceptance of any new educational system, especially one which would advocate a constant companionship between parents and child.
possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching
From this reading For she had been reared with but exceptional glimpses of her father and mother; during one of these times she relates how the former, in his desire to make her brave, forced her to catch spiders in her hands.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading For she had been reared with but exceptional glimpses of her father and mother; during one of these times she relates how the former, in his desire to make her brave, forced her to catch spiders in her hands.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Such a picture is worthy a place by the side of Little Miss Muffet.
discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading For she had been reared with but exceptional glimpses of her father and mother; during one of these times she relates how the former, in his desire to make her brave, forced her to catch spiders in her hands.
a young person of either sex
From this reading Her early years thus prepared Madame de Genlis for the willing acceptance of any new educational system, especially one which would advocate a constant companionship between parents and child.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading Like all children, Madame de Genlis was superior to her limited pleasures; she possessed an imagination which expanded and placed her in a heroic world of her own making.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading There is peculiar pleasure in discovering under narrow circumstances the good, healthy spirit of youth.
companionshipnounUS /kəmˈpænjənʃɪp/
the state of being with someone
From this reading Her early years thus prepared Madame de Genlis for the willing acceptance of any new educational system, especially one which would advocate a constant companionship between parents and child.
unvarying in nature
From this reading Her early years thus prepared Madame de Genlis for the willing acceptance of any new educational system, especially one which would advocate a constant companionship between parents and child.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading Her early years thus prepared Madame de Genlis for the willing acceptance of any new educational system, especially one which would advocate a constant companionship between parents and child.
the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading For she had been reared with but exceptional glimpses of her father and mother; during one of these times she relates how the former, in his desire to make her brave, forced her to catch spiders in her hands.
discoveringverbUS /dɪˈskʌvərɪŋ/
-ing form of “discover” — discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading There is peculiar pleasure in discovering under narrow circumstances the good, healthy spirit of youth.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading For she had been reared with but exceptional glimpses of her father and mother; during one of these times she relates how the former, in his desire to make her brave, forced her to catch spiders in her hands.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading Her early years thus prepared Madame de Genlis for the willing acceptance of any new educational system, especially one which would advocate a constant companionship between parents and child.
educationaladjectiveUS /ˌedʒəˈkeɪʃənəl/
relating to the process of education
From this reading Her early years thus prepared Madame de Genlis for the willing acceptance of any new educational system, especially one which would advocate a constant companionship between parents and child.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading Her early years thus prepared Madame de Genlis for the willing acceptance of any new educational system, especially one which would advocate a constant companionship between parents and child.
exceptionaladjectiveUS /ɪkˈsepʃənəl/
far beyond what is usual in magnitude or degree
From this reading For she had been reared with but exceptional glimpses of her father and mother; during one of these times she relates how the former, in his desire to make her brave, forced her to catch spiders in her hands.
expandedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspændəd/
increased in extent or size or bulk or scope
From this reading Like all children, Madame de Genlis was superior to her limited pleasures; she possessed an imagination which expanded and placed her in a heroic world of her own making.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading For she had been reared with but exceptional glimpses of her father and mother; during one of these times she relates how the former, in his desire to make her brave, forced her to catch spiders in her hands.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Her early years thus prepared Madame de Genlis for the willing acceptance of any new educational system, especially one which would advocate a constant companionship between parents and child.
produced by or subjected to forcing
From this reading For she had been reared with but exceptional glimpses of her father and mother; during one of these times she relates how the former, in his desire to make her brave, forced her to catch spiders in her hands.
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading For she had been reared with but exceptional glimpses of her father and mother; during one of these times she relates how the former, in his desire to make her brave, forced her to catch spiders in her hands.
Genlis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her early years thus prepared Madame de Genlis for the willing acceptance of any new educational system, especially one which would advocate a constant companionship between parents and child.
glimpsesnounUS /ˈɡlɪmpsɪz/
plural of “glimpse” — a quick look
From this reading For she had been reared with but exceptional glimpses of her father and mother; during one of these times she relates how the former, in his desire to make her brave, forced her to catch spiders in her hands.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading There is peculiar pleasure in discovering under narrow circumstances the good, healthy spirit of youth.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For she had been reared with but exceptional glimpses of her father and mother; during one of these times she relates how the former, in his desire to make her brave, forced her to catch spiders in her hands.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading For she had been reared with but exceptional glimpses of her father and mother; during one of these times she relates how the former, in his desire to make her brave, forced her to catch spiders in her hands.
healthyadjectiveUS /ˈhelθi/
having or indicating good health in body or mind; free from infirmity or disease
From this reading There is peculiar pleasure in discovering under narrow circumstances the good, healthy spirit of youth.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her early years thus prepared Madame de Genlis for the willing acceptance of any new educational system, especially one which would advocate a constant companionship between parents and child.
heroicadjectiveUS /hɪˈroʊɪk/
very imposing or impressive; surpassing the ordinary (especially in size or scale)
From this reading Like all children, Madame de Genlis was superior to her limited pleasures; she possessed an imagination which expanded and placed her in a heroic world of her own making.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading For she had been reared with but exceptional glimpses of her father and mother; during one of these times she relates how the former, in his desire to make her brave, forced her to catch spiders in her hands.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For she had been reared with but exceptional glimpses of her father and mother; during one of these times she relates how the former, in his desire to make her brave, forced her to catch spiders in her hands.
the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses
From this reading Like all children, Madame de Genlis was superior to her limited pleasures; she possessed an imagination which expanded and placed her in a heroic world of her own making.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For she had been reared with but exceptional glimpses of her father and mother; during one of these times she relates how the former, in his desire to make her brave, forced her to catch spiders in her hands.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Such a picture is worthy a place by the side of Little Miss Muffet.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Like all children, Madame de Genlis was superior to her limited pleasures; she possessed an imagination which expanded and placed her in a heroic world of her own making.
limitedadjectiveUS /ˈlɪmətəd/
small in range or scope
From this reading Like all children, Madame de Genlis was superior to her limited pleasures; she possessed an imagination which expanded and placed her in a heroic world of her own making.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Such a picture is worthy a place by the side of Little Miss Muffet.
title used for a married Frenchwoman
From this reading Her early years thus prepared Madame de Genlis for the willing acceptance of any new educational system, especially one which would advocate a constant companionship between parents and child.
engage in
From this reading For she had been reared with but exceptional glimpses of her father and mother; during one of these times she relates how the former, in his desire to make her brave, forced her to catch spiders in her hands.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading Like all children, Madame de Genlis was superior to her limited pleasures; she possessed an imagination which expanded and placed her in a heroic world of her own making.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading Such a picture is worthy a place by the side of Little Miss Muffet.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading For she had been reared with but exceptional glimpses of her father and mother; during one of these times she relates how the former, in his desire to make her brave, forced her to catch spiders in her hands.
Muffet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such a picture is worthy a place by the side of Little Miss Muffet.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading There is peculiar pleasure in discovering under narrow circumstances the good, healthy spirit of youth.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Her early years thus prepared Madame de Genlis for the willing acceptance of any new educational system, especially one which would advocate a constant companionship between parents and child.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Her early years thus prepared Madame de Genlis for the willing acceptance of any new educational system, especially one which would advocate a constant companionship between parents and child.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Her early years thus prepared Madame de Genlis for the willing acceptance of any new educational system, especially one which would advocate a constant companionship between parents and child.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Like all children, Madame de Genlis was superior to her limited pleasures; she possessed an imagination which expanded and placed her in a heroic world of her own making.
plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian
From this reading Her early years thus prepared Madame de Genlis for the willing acceptance of any new educational system, especially one which would advocate a constant companionship between parents and child.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading There is peculiar pleasure in discovering under narrow circumstances the good, healthy spirit of youth.
a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading Such a picture is worthy a place by the side of Little Miss Muffet.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Such a picture is worthy a place by the side of Little Miss Muffet.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading Like all children, Madame de Genlis was superior to her limited pleasures; she possessed an imagination which expanded and placed her in a heroic world of her own making.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading There is peculiar pleasure in discovering under narrow circumstances the good, healthy spirit of youth.
pleasuresnounUS /ˈpleʒərz/
plural of “pleasure” — a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading Like all children, Madame de Genlis was superior to her limited pleasures; she possessed an imagination which expanded and placed her in a heroic world of her own making.
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading Like all children, Madame de Genlis was superior to her limited pleasures; she possessed an imagination which expanded and placed her in a heroic world of her own making.
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading Her early years thus prepared Madame de Genlis for the willing acceptance of any new educational system, especially one which would advocate a constant companionship between parents and child.
rearedverbUS /rɪrd/
past form of “rear” — stand up on the hind legs, of quadrupeds
From this reading For she had been reared with but exceptional glimpses of her father and mother; during one of these times she relates how the former, in his desire to make her brave, forced her to catch spiders in her hands.
relatesverbUS /rɪˈleɪts/
third-person singular of “relate” — make a logical or causal connection
From this reading For she had been reared with but exceptional glimpses of her father and mother; during one of these times she relates how the former, in his desire to make her brave, forced her to catch spiders in her hands.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For she had been reared with but exceptional glimpses of her father and mother; during one of these times she relates how the former, in his desire to make her brave, forced her to catch spiders in her hands.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Such a picture is worthy a place by the side of Little Miss Muffet.
spidersnounUS /ˈspaɪdərz/
plural of “spider” — predatory arachnid with eight legs, two poison fangs, two feelers, and usually two silk-spinning organs at the back end of the body; they spin silk to make cocoons for eggs or traps for prey
From this reading For she had been reared with but exceptional glimpses of her father and mother; during one of these times she relates how the former, in his desire to make her brave, forced her to catch spiders in her hands.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading There is peculiar pleasure in discovering under narrow circumstances the good, healthy spirit of youth.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Such a picture is worthy a place by the side of Little Miss Muffet.
of high or superior quality or performance
From this reading Like all children, Madame de Genlis was superior to her limited pleasures; she possessed an imagination which expanded and placed her in a heroic world of her own making.
instrumentality that combines interrelated interacting artifacts designed to work as a coherent entity
From this reading Her early years thus prepared Madame de Genlis for the willing acceptance of any new educational system, especially one which would advocate a constant companionship between parents and child.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Her early years thus prepared Madame de Genlis for the willing acceptance of any new educational system, especially one which would advocate a constant companionship between parents and child.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There is peculiar pleasure in discovering under narrow circumstances the good, healthy spirit of youth.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading For she had been reared with but exceptional glimpses of her father and mother; during one of these times she relates how the former, in his desire to make her brave, forced her to catch spiders in her hands.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading Her early years thus prepared Madame de Genlis for the willing acceptance of any new educational system, especially one which would advocate a constant companionship between parents and child.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading For she had been reared with but exceptional glimpses of her father and mother; during one of these times she relates how the former, in his desire to make her brave, forced her to catch spiders in her hands.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For she had been reared with but exceptional glimpses of her father and mother; during one of these times she relates how the former, in his desire to make her brave, forced her to catch spiders in her hands.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading There is peculiar pleasure in discovering under narrow circumstances the good, healthy spirit of youth.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Like all children, Madame de Genlis was superior to her limited pleasures; she possessed an imagination which expanded and placed her in a heroic world of her own making.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Her early years thus prepared Madame de Genlis for the willing acceptance of any new educational system, especially one which would advocate a constant companionship between parents and child.
disposed or inclined toward
From this reading Her early years thus prepared Madame de Genlis for the willing acceptance of any new educational system, especially one which would advocate a constant companionship between parents and child.
in the company of; together with
From this reading For she had been reared with but exceptional glimpses of her father and mother; during one of these times she relates how the former, in his desire to make her brave, forced her to catch spiders in her hands.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Like all children, Madame de Genlis was superior to her limited pleasures; she possessed an imagination which expanded and placed her in a heroic world of her own making.
Having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in character or magic.
From this reading Such a picture is worthy a place by the side of Little Miss Muffet.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Her early years thus prepared Madame de Genlis for the willing acceptance of any new educational system, especially one which would advocate a constant companionship between parents and child.
a late time of life
From this reading Her early years thus prepared Madame de Genlis for the willing acceptance of any new educational system, especially one which would advocate a constant companionship between parents and child.
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading There is peculiar pleasure in discovering under narrow circumstances the good, healthy spirit of youth.
